Saturday's Cowboy

Book excerpt: Rusty Reynolds, an ex-B-grade western movie star, arrives in Tucson, Arizona, nearly broke and no prospects. Chuck Baxter, a ruthless land developer, hires Rusty at low wages to promote the Bar M Ranch, a remote desert subdivision. While Baxter schemes to relieve eastern retirees of their money, Rusty finds a way to relieve Baxter of some of his ill-gotten profits. When Baxter discovers that Rusty's revenge includes the stealing of his wife the plot turns deadly. When Baxter, in a failed attempt on Rusty's life, accidentally kills one of Rusty's Friends, Rusty gets even by entering the race for the U.S. Senate against Baxter. Although running as a stalking horse, Rusty proves to be an adept politician. Does Rusty get the girl? Does he win a seat in the U.S. Senate? Does he ride off into the sunset? Saturday's Cowboy is an irresistible page-turned replete with exciting subplots and a colorful supporting cast. If the plot of Saturday's Cowboy reminds you of a Tim Holt or Clint Eastwood western, the effect is intentional.